Skip to main content

Mat Arnfeld’s Fish and Chips

Image may contain Cutlery Fork Pottery and Saucer
Photo by Chelsea Kyle

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted, plus more as needed
Kosher salt
1 pint brown ale
Vegetable oil, for deep-frying
8 large Idaho potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/2 inch thick
4 (6-ounce) cod, haddock, or halibut fillets, about 1 inch thick
Malt vinegar, for serving

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Put 1 1/2 cups of the flour and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in the ale until smooth. (For a lighter batter, use a handheld immersion blender to combine.) The batter should have the consistency of heavy cream; if it is too thin, whisk in a little more flour. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

    Step 2

    Fill a deep-fryer or heavy pot halfway with oil, and heat to 300°F. Add your chips carefully, so as not to excite the oil, and cook for about 3 minutes; they shouldn’t color. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet and let cool.

    Step 3

    Raise the oil temperature to 350°F. Put your chips in the oil and fry until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with salt.

    Step 4

    Raise the oil temperature to 375°F.

    Step 5

    Put the remaining 1/2 cup flour in a baking dish. Season the fish generously with salt; then dredge in the flour, shaking off any excess. Give the batter a stir and dip the fish in the batter, shaking off any excess. Fry the fish, flipping once and adjusting the heat as necessary, until golden brown and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels, and season with salt. Serve with the chips and malt vinegar.

Bobby Flay's Throwdown!
Read More
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Put that half-full tub to use with recipes that go beyond the Italian American classics.
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
This easy, one-skillet chicken stroganoff features tender chicken breasts, savory mushrooms, and a creamy Dijon-crème fraîche sauce—perfect for weeknights.
Like Sri Lankan cashew curry and vegan stuffed shells.
Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.